New Board of Director members introduced by Sherri
Biss to membership present

Guest speaker for the evening , Mr. Patrick Rogers., of
the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.

Mr .Rogers explained to the audience that he was employed
by the Department of Environmental Protection, Lakeville Office, and
that his agency was responsible for the management of all environmental
groups operating within the state. He stated the area that the Association
is involved with is part of the Taunton River Watershed. This watershed
involves 38 communities and that the water from this area eventually
flows to the Taunton River and out into Narragansett Bay. He further
stated that our pond area is broken down into the Middleboro/Nemasket
River Watershed for a more defined area when seeking assistance.

He stated that he became involved
with the LPA when he learned of the aquatic weed infestation of Long
Pond. He stated that the original contact from concerned people was
with the D.E.P. but that agency is a regulatory board and not involved
in taking an active advisory position on issues.Through his activity
he has helped form the Aquatic Weed Committees in the towns of Lakeville
and Freetown and has offered suggestions on the process to control
and seek remedy from state agencies and legislators in the way of
monetary support for weed surveys. In order to have funds appropriated
for these studies , request have to be submitted by August 20 th and
then the legislature reviews the request and grants the contracts
on November 1. After this award there are a series of 3 4 public
hearings to get comments and input from the communities. It will take
almost one year before any results will be realized.

WEED IDENTIFICATION:

Chart demonstration displayed of Long Pond vegetation
showing native weeds and non-native weeds. Any persons interested in
further identifying these plants should contact Sherri Biss or Conni
Tuffile. Any persons interested in pulling these plants should contact
Sherri, Connie or Gary Loranger for advise.

BYLAWS

Copies of the new Bylaws were distributed for review to members present.
Dave Voye explained the changes and opened the floor for discussion. Many
concerns were aired by members and many suggestions and admendments to the
proposed changes were accepted. Reduction of the quorum number to 25 from
35 was presented along with other considerations not addressed such as;
no set dues rate, one member for one vote instead of family membership voting,
Board of Directors to be set at 15 which will include the President, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer along with 11 Board of Director members,
establishment of a set date for Board of Director meetings and welcome members
to attend if they wish, and set a quorum for Board of Director meetings.
Motion was made to hold the vote for the new Bylaw acceptance until the
August meeting. Vote passed affirmative.

Suggestions were made for ways to keep the membership informed of association
activity. The cost of newsletter mailings was shown to be costly for additional
mailings. The association has established a web site which can be visited
by anyone with internet access. This site is updated frequently with information
and publications of area activity concerning Long Pond. This site is interactive
and can be used to keep ongoing communication with others throughout the
country.

Remember to mark your calendars for "BOATS
ON PARADE" August 29, 1999 start time is 6:00PM
Decorate your boat and join in the fun for the evening.

SENATE BILL 994

This bill is currently in the office of the SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE. This bill was written for supplying funds for
the control of non-native aquatic vegetation. The bill will provide
one million dollars for each of five years. For further information
on this bill contact Conni Tuffile at 508-947-5104 Send letters to support
passage of this bill to:

David Magnani
Chairman of Science and Technology
State House Room 323
Boston, MA. 02133